Unemployment rate increases

St. Joseph County’s July unemployment rate saw a notable increase from the previous month.

Monthly figures released from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget Analysis show St. Joseph County had a July unemployment rate of 9.7 percent, a 1.1-percent increase from June.

The agency indicated summer layoffs in education contributed to the increase.

Despite the increase from June, the July figure is still less than the county’s 12.2 percent unemployment rate in July 2011.

One other positive note: St. Joseph County’s July 2012 unemployment rate was lower than the state average of 10.3 percent for the month.